CAMBRIDGE, Mass. –A conference-record 708 student-athletes who played America East sponsored fall sports in 2013, 68 percent of all competitors, garnered America East Honor Roll recognition for obtaining a semester grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 higher Wednesday. More than half (402) of those student-athletes achieved a 3.50 GPA and earned Commissioner’s Honor Roll status.

"Our student-athletes continue to be impressive in the classroom, excelling academically while also balancing college life and the rigors of being a Division I student-athlete," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "This achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication to being a complete student-athlete."

For the second-straight year, University of New Hampshire had the most student-athletes (114) recognized on the fall Academic Honor Roll, separating itself from the pack by a margin of over 30 students. UMass Lowell, which joins America East student-athletes for the distinction for first time as a Division I member, landed the second-most with 82 student-athletes. Hartford came in third (78), followed by Vermont (74), UMBC (73), Binghamton (71), Albany (70), Stony Brook (70) and Maine (56). Associate members Fairfield and Providence College, for the sports of field hockey and volleyball, respectively, each sent 10 squad members to the fall honor roll in their respective sports.

Hartford boasts the highest percentage of fall student-athletes named to the honor roll with 78.8 percent acquiring 3.00 GPAs or better over the course of the semester. New Hampshire (73.1), Binghamton (71.7) and Maine (70.9) also had over 70 percent of their student-athletes achieve honor roll status, while UMBC (68.9), Vermont (67.9), Providence volleyball (66.7), Stony Brook (64.2) and Albany (63.1) all sent over 60 percent to the honor roll list, with UMass Lowell falling just below that mark at 58.6 percent.

UNH's women’s cross country team had the highest percentage of honor roll recipients from a single team, with 33 of a possible 35 student-athletes recognized for 94.3 percent. Hartford’s men’s cross country team had 90.9 percent (10-of-11) of its team recognized while volleyball landed 94.1 percent (16-of-17) members on honor roll. The Hawks and UMBC tied at 85.7 percent (18-of-21) for the highest percentage in women’s soccer. UMass Lowell boasts a field hockey-high of 81 percent as 17 of its 21 players made honor roll status.

America East is proud to have one of the most comprehensive academic awards programs in the country. In addition to the honor roll, an All-Academic team comprised of student-athletes that excel both academically and athletically is chosen in each of the conference’s 19 sports by a committee consisting of faculty athletic representatives, academic advisors and sports information directors. Additionally, a scholar-athlete, someone who distinguishes his/herself as the top student-athlete in his/her sport, is awarded. From that group, one male and one female is selected the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Finally, the Academic Cup is awarded to the school with the highest cumulative GPA among its student-athletes for that academic year.

The America East Conference provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.